Italian asset managers uncertain over EU plans

By: James Norris | 13 Dec 2011

A majority of Italian asset managers are uncertain over EU plans to resolve the crisis, though they expressed confidence in the new government’s ability to tackle head-on the country’s deficit, says a poll carried out by RBC Dexia Investor Services.

Initial optimism in the new Italian government seems high, with three-quarters of respondents (74%) expressing confidence in its ability to reduce the national deficit and implement the emergency measures already voted through.

The poll took place at an RBC Dexia event in Milan at the time of the appointment of the new government led by Mario Monti. A cross section of representatives of the Italian asset management industry were asked for their views on the current domestic and international economic climate.

Mauro Dognini, managing director of RBC Dexia in Italy, said: “The results of our survey show that the change in government has injected some optimism into the Italian market and confidence that the country has the right measures and people in place to see it through the immediate difficulties. However, the prospects for wider economic recovery remain a concern and we must remain committed to creating a climate for future growth.”

There was a more divided view of the Italian government’s ability to get the wider economy back on track: 48% of those polled were confident that the new government would create conditions for economic growth, whilst 52% remained less convinced.

The poor sentiment around prospects for economic recovery extends to the wider international context, with over half of respondents (55%) not confident in the eurozone’s ability to get to grips with the crisis or the likelihood of a successful resolution.

And despite asset managers’ overall confidence that the global economic and financial crisis will be brought under control (58% of those polled) the large majority believe that recovery is still a little way off. Over 70% of those interviewed put a time-frame of between three to five years before the situation is resolved.

Attendees at the event were also asked for their views on the prospects for the Italian asset management industry. Over half of respondents (58%) were not confident in the immediate future for the industry.

The poll was conducted on November 16, 2011 and was completed by 31 leading Italian asset managers. Of those who stated their assets under management, 60% had AuM of more than €1billion, including 40% with AuM in excess of €5billion.

RBC Dexia Investor Services, equally owned by Canadian bank RBC and French bank Dexia, ranks among the world’s top 10 global custodians with $2.9 trillion in client assets under administration.